Method and apparatus for reading bar coded tubular members such as cylindrical vials

Abstract

An apparatus for electronically reading tubular members, such as cylindrical vials, marked with electronically readable encoded information is disclosed. The apparatus is in the form of a jig having a receiving means adapted to receive an electronic identification means, such as a pen-type bar code reader therein. A receptacle within the jig is adapted to receive a tubular member therein and to allow rotation of the tubular member. An electronic identification means may be placed within the receiving means to read information encoded on the tubular member when placed within the receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for electronically reading a tubular member encoded with electronically readable information, said apparatus comprising: a jig;   receiving means adapted to receive and retain a portable electronic identification means within said jig, said identification means being manually removable from said jig; and   a receptacle within said jig adapted to receive and retain at least a portion of the tubular member therein and to allow rotation of said tubular member therein, said tubular member being encoded on said portion with electronically readable information, said receptacle being disposed to allow said identification means retained within said receiving means to read the encoded information on said portion of said tubular member.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises at least one slot within said jig. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said slot is formed within a first section of the jig, said slot being disposed to allow said identification means to lie lengthwise on said first section of said jig. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said receiving means comprises a first and a second slot within a top section of said jig, said jig further comprising a recessed section between said first and second slots, said recessed section being sized to form a gap between a surface of said jig and said identification means disposed in said slots, to enable said identification means to be manually engaged and disengaged. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said identification means disposed in said first and second slots is oriented substantially perpendicularly to said receptacle. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an opening located at an end of said jig adapted to allow said tubular member within the receptacle to be manually rotated. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 or 6 wherein said identification means comprises a pen-type bar code reader. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising an object adapted to contact said tubular member within said receptacle wherein said tubular member may be rotated upon translation of said object tangentially about said tubular member. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said object comprises a bow. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said receptacle further comprises an aperture, said aperture being sized to enable said tubular member to be inserted into the receptacle therethrough. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 1 or 10 wherein said tubular member comprises a cylindrical vial. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the vial is labelled circumferentially with a bar code. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for reading bar coded cylindrical vials comprising: a jig having a receiving means adapted for receiving and retaining a pen-type bar code reader therein, said bar code reader being manually removable from said receiving means;   a receptacle within said jig disposed to receive and retain a cylindrical vial therein, said cylindrical vial having a bar code with encoded information thereon, said receptacle being configured to allow rotation of said cylindrical vial therein, wherein said bar code reader retained within said receiving means and said cylindrical vial retained within said receptacle are oriented to allow said bar code reader to read said bar code from the cylindrical vial.   
     
     
       14. A method of electronically reading information encoded on a first tubular member, said method comprising: inserting an electronic identification means into a jig, said jig comprising a receiving means for receiving and retaining said electronic identification means within said jig, said electronic identification means being manually removable from said jig;   placing a tubular member having electronically readable encoded information thereon into a receptacle within said jig wherein said tubular member is disposed to allow said electronic identification means retained within said jig to read said electronically encoded information;   reading said electronically encoded information using said electronic identification means.   
     
     
       15. The method of claim 14 further comprising removing said tubular member. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15 further comprising repeating said inserting, placing and reading steps using at least a second tubular member. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim 16 wherein said first tubular member comprises a cylindrical vial. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim 17 wherein said electronic identification means is manually inserted into said jig. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim 17 wherein said identification means comprises a pen-type bar code reader. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim 19 wherein said receiving means comprises at least one slot within said jig. 
     
     
       21. The method of claim 20 wherein said slot is formed within a top section of the jig, said slot being disposed to allow said pen-type bar code reader to lie lengthwise on said top section of said jig. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 21 when said cylindrical vial contains a group of chemical compounds and wherein said electronically encoded information pertains to the identities of said compounds. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 22 further comprising rotating said cylindrical vial. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim 23 wherein said receiving means comprises a first and second slot within a top section of said jig, said jig further comprising a recessed section between said first and second slots, said recessed section being sized to form a gap between a surface of said jig and said pen-type bar code reader disposed in said slots to enable said identification means to be manually engaged. 
     
     
       25. The method of claim 24 wherein said first and second slots are oriented so that said pen-type bar code reader disposed within said slots is oriented substantially perpendicularly to said cylindrical vial disposed within said receptacle. 
     
     
       26. The method of claim 25 wherein placing said cylindrical vial into said receptacle comprises inserting said cylindrical vial into an aperture within said jig.